How to Make a Corset Top From a Shirt

Originally, women wore a corset as an undergarment; the corset was used to train the waistline into an smaller circumference. Today, women wear corsets as fashionable outerwear, with or without the intention of creating a slimmer waistline. With a little crafty magic, transform a shirt into a sexy corset with minimal sewing. Converting a shirt requires little piecing because you retain the side seams of the shirt.

Things You'll Need

Seam ripper

Corset pattern

Pins

Tailor’s chalk

Scissors

Liner fabric

Ruler

Eyelets

Eyelet setting tool

Hammer

Laces

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Cutting Out the Corset

Select a fitted shirt that is your size or one size smaller. When you cut and sew the back of the shirt for the corset laces, you lose a 1/2 inch of material. For the corset to lace closed, the shirt should fit near but not against your skin.

Remove the sleeves with a seam ripper.

Lay the shirt on the work surface front-side up.

Pin the front of the corset pattern to the shirt.

Trace the top and bottom of the pattern onto the shirt with tailor’s chalk, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Mark the edge of the shirt at the top and bottom of the pattern so you can match the back pattern.

Flip the shirt over and pin the back of the corset pattern to the shirt, using the guide marks to align the pattern.